[ LETTER ]

Take Time This Christmas Season To Remember Christ

Published: Saturday, December 8, 2012 at 12:03 a.m.

Last Modified: Saturday, December 8, 2012 at 12:03 a.m.

It's here again. That time of year sacred to all of Christendom, when people go nuts at the mall. We're bombarded with "happy holidays" or "season's greetings." What holiday? What season?

It's the birthday of the Savior —except for that event, there would be nothing to celebrate.

People stand gazing at the manger and consider this babe —for a moment. Then it's on with their parties. After a few days, they gather up their plastic nativity figures and put them in a box for another year.

Where do we find reason for the frivolous activities of this season? It's the day to honor Christ's birth but we've lost him in the crowd. Christmas is a day to receive stuff —a time filled with hurry and excitement, pushing around in stores with feet burning, head aching and when it's all over, they have seen —Santa Claus.

May I suggest a different look at this day we call Christmas? True, we don't know when he was born so we've set aside Dec. 25 to honor his birth. The religions of the world claim the same date for their celebration. They can choose another date. Then we will be permitted to call Christmas Christmas instead of a winter holiday, without offending the religious people. Christianity is not a religion, rather a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, a lifestyle.

To all who love our Lord, let's make this Christmas the occasion for remembering not his birth first, but his death; not his birth, but him.

Will you sing carols at the manger and stop there, or will you come with me to his dark cross to weep, repent and believe —and worship him who came into this world to save sinners?

<p>It's here again. That time of year sacred to all of Christendom, when people go nuts at the mall. We're bombarded with "happy holidays" or "season's greetings." What holiday? What season?</p><p>It's the birthday of the Savior —except for that event, there would be nothing to celebrate.</p><p>People stand gazing at the manger and consider this babe —for a moment. Then it's on with their parties. After a few days, they gather up their plastic nativity figures and put them in a box for another year.</p><p>Where do we find reason for the frivolous activities of this season? It's the day to honor Christ's birth but we've lost him in the crowd. Christmas is a day to receive stuff —a time filled with hurry and excitement, pushing around in stores with feet burning, head aching and when it's all over, they have seen —Santa Claus.</p><p>May I suggest a different look at this day we call Christmas? True, we don't know when he was born so we've set aside Dec. 25 to honor his birth. The religions of the world claim the same date for their celebration. They can choose another date. Then we will be permitted to call Christmas Christmas instead of a winter holiday, without offending the religious people. Christianity is not a religion, rather a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, a lifestyle.</p><p>To all who love our Lord, let's make this Christmas the occasion for remembering not his birth first, but his death; not his birth, but him.</p><p>Will you sing carols at the manger and stop there, or will you come with me to his dark cross to weep, repent and believe —and worship him who came into this world to save sinners?</p><p>Merry Christmas.</p><p>NITA J. WYRICK</p><p>Lakeland</p>